Method of and apparatus for laying submarine pipes



, 43 sneetsshet 1. H. lC...TEACH-.IER81.01. H. BREYMANN. METHOD-0F AND APPARATUS FOR LAYING SUBMARINE PIPBS.

(No maal.)

No. 375.464. Patentednecpz?, 1387.

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N PETERS. Phuiu-Lixhagmphor. wnshmglon, DA C.

' 3 sheets-Sheet 2.

H. o. THAGHHH 8v G. H. BHHYMANN. METHOD 0F AND APPARATUS FOR LAYING SUBMARINB PIPES.

No. 375,464. Patented Dec. 27, 188?.

(No` Model.)

N. PEYERS. Pholo-Ulhogmpher, Wilshllgion. D. C.

. 3 Sheets-Sheet. 3. H. C. TEACHER 8v G. H. BREYMANN. METHODVOF ANDAPPARATUS POR LAYING SUBMARINB PIPBS.. No. 375,464.

(-No Model.)

--m Patente'dDeo'. 27, 1887'.

N. PETERS, Phulmlhhugrnpher. Wnshngwn, D. c.

UNITED 4STATES VPATENT OFFICE.

HORACE C. THACHER AND GEORGE H. BREYMANN, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR LAYING SUBIVIARINE PIPES.

SPE CIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 375,464, dated December2'7, 1887.

Applicalion filed August 2, 1887.l Serial No. 245.998. (No model.)

ATo @ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known. that we, HORACE C. TEACHER and GEORGE H. BREYMANN, of Toledo, in the county of Lucas and State of Ohio, have in# 5 vented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of and Apparatus for Laying Snb'f marinePipes, of which the following is aspeciiication. f Our invention consists in a novel method of and apparatus forlaying submarine pipes and like structures without the employment of caissons, coft'erdams, or the like.4 Briefly stated, the plan consists in connecting a series of pipe-lengths on land by lead joints in the ordinaryway, tapering slightly the spigot end of the end length of such section, and formi'n a lead joint between it and the bell of the end length ofthe next section, after which the spigot end is Withdrawn, leaving the lead gasket or packing in the bell, closing both ends oi' the sections, buoying thesame by caslrsoriother buoyant bodies, ioating each section to a position directly above its intended bed,reA moving the cap from the bell end and detachi ng to sink slowly, drawing the bell end of one section upon the spigot end of the preceding section by threaded rods or drawbolts with force sufficient to compress the lead gasket and produce a tight joint, the final formation of thejoint being performed bya diver under water while the section is suspended from above andnearly floated by the casks. Though the plan thus stated is apparently and in reality simple, it requires careful management, great care as to details, and the employment of certain contrivances,without which it is believed the operation could not be performed. Thus it is important to provide means for readily applying and detaching the casks, for compensating for motion of the water, so that the pipe-section may remain at rest though the barge, scow, or struct-ure from which its suspending and hoisting ropes extend may move freely and considerably, and for effecting a secure and permanentjoint between adjacent sections. In this description the term pipe-lengths is used to indicate a single length of pipe without joint7 and the term 5o pipe-section is employed to indicate a section composed of two or more such pipeenough of the casks to permit the pipe-section Y lengths joined end to end, the sections commonly comprising from six to ten lengths, though the number may be increased or diminished, as desired.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is aview showing the pipe as it appears when laid; Fig. 2, a perspective view showing the ends of the adjoining sections after making the leadjoint and disconnecting the sections; Figs. 3, 4,and, 5,views illustrating the manner of iinallyjoining or uniting the pipe-sections; Fig. 6, aperspeetive view of the sections as they-appear when ready to be floated; Fig. 7, a perspective view of the scow or barge and appliances for handling the pipe-section when at its place of sinking, showing also one of the iloated sec.- tions of pipe;v Fig. 8, a perspective view of two of the casks used in floating the pipe-sections and showing the manner of connecting them.

Heretofore great difficulty has been experienced in laying submarine pipe, particularly at considerable depths, and so far as we are aware the only practicable plan for carrying out such work at even moderate depths has until now necessitated the use of wrought-iron pipes with flexiblejoints, entailing great expense and involving considerable uncertainty as to the perfection ofthejoints. Our plan involves only the use of the common cast-iron pipes-such as are used for city mains-the spigot end of certain pipe-lengths being either cast with or turned to a slight taper. In all other respects the pipes are of ordinary construction throughout the system.

In carrying out our invention we provide a quantity of cast-iron pipe-lengths, A, and, if not so cast, we have the spigot end of a certain proportion of the pipe-lengths turned to a slight taper,as at a,advisably about oneeighth of an inch in four or in iiveinchesthe taper beA ing, however, variable to suit the particular work in hand. The number or proportion of the lengths thus tapered depends upon the number of lengths employed in making up a section,there being one such tapered length for each section.

Y In the drawings we have represented the sections as consisting ofsix pipe-lengths each,and, as these lengths are usually twelve feet each, a section will thus beseventy-two feetinlength.

ICO

The tapered spigot end a of a length of pipe is introduced into the bell b of another length, the two lengths being those intended to constitute the meeting ends of adjoining sections,and a lead joint is formed in the ordinary way. Vhen this j oint is completed, the tapered end a is withdrawn from the bell I), the lead ring or gasket c being left in the bell.

An equal number` of lengths with tapered ends and of lengths with lead packingrings or gaskets being provided,we proceed to make up the pipe-sections by uniting a number of pipe-lengths by the ordinary lead joints and placing at one end of each section a length having its bell provided with the lead ring or gasket c and at the opposie end a length having the tapered end a. Thus a section coniposed of six lengths will comprise four lengths formed and united in the ordinary way, and two lengths, one at each end, respectively, provided with the leaded bell and the tapered spigot end. These lengths, or any other desired number, being joined to produce a section, a cover, B, of wood or other suitable material is applied to each end of the section, and these in turn are covered and held in place by caps or coverings C, of canvas, rubber cloth, or other water-proofmaterial suitably wrapped or bound with cords to retain them in place, as in Fig. (i.

Previous to lowering the pipe-section into the water wc apply immediately behind the bell or shoulder of the length having its bell end outermost, and im mediatelyin front ofthe bell of the length at the opposite end of the section, a two part collar, F, consisting of nearly semicircular bands 71y h of heavy bariron, each having outwardly'turned ends or cars i i, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. These ears are provided with two holes each to rcceive connecting-boltsj, which serve to draw and hold the collar-sections firmly against the exterior of the pipe. The collarsections are enough less than semieircular to leave between their ears when drawn closely to the pipe sufficient space for the rods orbolts G to pass between them and between the bolts 7' the rods g being threaded at one or both ends and furnished with heavy nuts, or with a nut at one end and a head at the other. The rods G are passed through the spaces of the collar at the spigot end of the section, andare held in position by a light rope or cord, as shown in Fig. 2, their application completing the section. Such a compl-eted section is shown in Fig. (i lying closeA to the water ready to be lowered thereto. These sections, being formed on land and sealed full of air, may be buoyed by fewer casks or their equivalents than if open for the admission of water, and, in fact, will even float unaided by such casks or other buoyantbodies, though the joints would beliable to bestrained in handling, especially in rough water.'

From the ground or platform upon which the sections are made up skids or beams D extend on an easyinclination down to the water, care being taken to give to them a uniform slope, so that the joints of the sections may not be strained in rolling the pipes down them to the water.

The pipe-sections are rolled forward to and upon the skids or beams D by hand or with the aid of suitable beams or levers, their advance being controlled by ropes passing about them, secured at one end to stationary objects on land, and paid out as required.

Previous to lowering the pipes into the water we provide a number of casks, E, or cquivalent hollow vessels of suitable floating capacity and adequate strength to withstand the great pressure met with at considerable depths under water, each cask being furnished with one or more eyes or rings, d-preferably twoas shown in Fig. S. These rings may be conveniently held in place by the heavy hoops of the cask passing through them.

To the rings or eyes of one cask of every pair we permanently attach a shorthand or length of rope, c-say two feet, more orless-the free end of each rope being formed with an eye or loop, f. The two casks of cach pair are then connected by a lashing, g, of rope or heavy twine passing through the eye or loopf of the rope e of one cask and through the ring d of the other cask.

The purpose of forming the connection in this way is to provide for readily and securely connecting the two casks, and also for readily disconnecting them, as is required at a cer tain stage of the work,without destroying the main connecting ropes or bands c, it being only necessary to cut thelashings r/,which are inexpensive and easily renewed. As twentyiive such connections are ordinarily required for each six lengt-hsections of thirty-inch pipe, it will be seen that their formation is a matter of considerable practical importance both as regards time and expense.

The connecting ropes or bands u form sad dles upon which the pipe-section is supported and carried between the two casks of each of the various pairs in the manner indicatcdin Fig. 7, which shows a section ready to be towed to its intended place of use, and the casks are placed in such relation to the skids or beams D, Fig. 6, that the pipe-sec tion shall roll upon the saddles or connectingbands between the casks constituting the various pairs. Vhen thus sustained,the section is ready to be towed to its intended place of use, and this may be donc in any convenient manner. As, however, a barge, iioat, scow, or other structure is required for the force performing the work of sinking and joining the successive sections, the prepared section may be conveniently connected by a cable to such barge or scow, and this in turn to the tug, and the whole towed to the point of operation, work being begun at the shore end ol' the line and carried outward therefrom.

As this invention relates only to the placing and connecting of the pipe under water, it is assumed in this description that a length of pipe having a tapered end extends outinto IOO the water, and that the work to be done under this plan begins at that point; but for the purpose of'making the operation more clear we will describe t-he work as performed at a considerable distance from shore-as, for instance, at Racine, Wisconsin-where the pipe is laid in the bottom of the lake for a distance of a mile and a halt' from the shore.

Referring now to Fig. 7, the apparatus eniployed and its arrangement will be seen.

H indicates a scow, float, or other structure suitable for carrying the necessary hoisting apparatus, casks, air-pump, sand and clay pumps, engine, and other appliances ordi-` narlly required in the work. Near each end of the scow or oat is an overhanging derrick or frame, I, the top cross-beam, k, of each being perforated to permit the passage through it of a heavy rod, J, having` an eye at its lower end to receive the hook of a pulley-block, K, lwhich is thus suspended from the rod.

Resting upon the upper side of the beam k of each derrick or frame I is a strong helical spring,usually about eighteen inchesin length, each spring L encircling one of the rods J, and bearing at its upper end against the under side of a collar, Z, the collar encircling the rod and being held and adjusted thereon by a heavy nut, m, screwed upon the threaded end of the rod.

Directly in rear of each pulley-block there is located upon the scow or float a windlass or drum, M, and from each drum a heavy rope, N, passes to and over the sheave of one of the pulley-blocks K. Each rope is provided at its free end with astrong hook, andis marked in any convenient manner to show its length in feet, yards, or fathoms, as preferred, so that as the ropes are allowed to descend in lowering the pipe into the water the position and depth ofthe pipe may be at all times known. Suitable sights being established on shore and buoys being attached, one to the outer end of each section, the line on which to lay the next section is readilyV ascertained. The scow or iloat is brought close to and parallel with this line, so that the ropes N shall hang directly over the central line or aXis of the pipe when the latter is in position, and then the boat or scow is anchored by means of anchors at each end on one side and at the middle on the opposite side, the latter being rigged on a bridlethat is to say, the Vrope or cable which carries it being fastened in the middle to the ring or eye of the anchor, and having its ends carried, respectively, to opposite ends of the scow or fioat, and one anchor out at each end of the scow or iioat.

By paying out certain of the anchor-cables and drawing in others the scow or float may be moved in any desired direction, andin this way the pipe-section suspended from its derricks can be moved as required to bring it into alignment with previously-laid sections or into proper position for connection therewith.

When the scow is properly anchored, the hooks of the ropes N are engaged in bands encircling the pipe, the cap and cover are removed from the bell end of the pipevsection, and water enters and fills the pipe. Next we detach a sufficient number of the casks to slightly more than neutralize the floating or buoyng capacity of those retained, so that the pipe-section shall sink, but so, also, that it shall be nearly in a state of equilibrium and capable of being raised upon the application of very slight lifting force, thus placing the entire section under absolute and easy control and permitting it to be readily moved to meet and'be connected with the preceding section. When thus made ready, the pipe-section is lowered by paying out the ropes M, the depth of lowering being carefully noted by reading the markings of the ropes, and the bell end bei ng lowered somewhat farther than the sealed spigot end. After the pipe is thus lowered a diver puts onthe usual diving-suit and de scends into the water to the bed of the basin, a ladder being used when practicable.

Referring now to Fig. 5, the operation of bringing the pipes together will be explained. As above mentioned,the bell end is lowered somewhat more than the other, so that the section assumes the position indicated in Fig. 5, and, as the depth of the wateris previously ascertained and the location of the end ofthe preceding section is shown by a buoy, it is practicable tobring the bell of the section being handled very near to the spigot of the preceding section without the aid ofthe diver. The diver, descending to the point where the joint is to be made, determines what movement of the section is necessary to bring the bell to the position shown'in Fig. 5-that is to say, with the upper inside face of the bell resting upon the upper exterior face of the spigot,and signals accordingly to those above. The section is then moved as required, and when brought to the position shown in Fig. 5 a signal is given to lower the spigot end of the section, the extent of lowering being also in dicated. As the section is lowered it swings from the point of bearing of one section upon the other, and consequently the bell swings easii y and with certainty over the spigot, ready to be drawn firmly to its seat. The rods or bolts G G are then run forward through the IIO spaces between the ears i t and boltsjj of the collar F. Washers or plates n are applied to them,and finally heavy nuts are screwed upon the ends of the rods and turned up by a large wrench, so that the pipe still suspended and practically in equilibrium, though very close to its bed, is drawn toward the preceding section and the bell is drawn upon the tapered spigot end with such force that the latter swages the lead gasket or ring c and produces a perfectly tightjoint. The pipe is then permitted to fall a slight distance required to properly bed it on the bottom, and, if necessary, sand, clay, or other matter found at the bed is thrown into level the seat for the pipe.. This completes the placing of thesection, and after this is done the lashings g are cut, and

the casks, being thus released, rise quickly to the surface, where they are collected for further use.

In operating in perfectly still water there would of course be no movement of the pipe other than that given by the attendants; but in water more or less rough, such as is usually met with where such work is performed, the motion of the water transmitted to the scow, float, or barge would be given to the pipe unless provision were made to prevent it. Itis for this purpose that the springs L are provided. The displacement of the pipesection is so great that its movements are necessarily very slow; hence when the scow or barge rises and falls the motion is taken up by the springs, the pipe remaining motionless in the still water found at low depths.

As all kinds of bottom are niet with, it is necessary that means be provided for removing sand, clay, or soil that may be thrown by the inet-ion ofthe water into the bed or ehannel eut to receive the pipe, it being customary to dredge a bed for the pipe, so that the sand, clay, Ste., may fill in about it and retain it against movement. \Ve therefore provide the barge or scow with a sand-pump to remove sand and with a powerful force pump to project a stream of water against clay or the like to cut it away. For smaller bodies a shovel is sufiicient.

It is not absolutely essential that more than one pipe-length be used in a section, it being feasible to use the same form of joint througlr out; but the plan above set forth is vastly cheaper and more expeditious.

Veights or fiat springs may obviously take the place of the helical springs.

XVe are aware that a pulley-block has been patented in which the block is arranged to slide upon a stein or hanger and in which the two are normally held in a certain relation by means of an interposed spring, which in case ot' breakage of the hoisting-rope applies a brake thereto. This we do not claim, nor could it be used for the purpose of our springsustained rods, because necessarily affording only a limited range of movement wholly in adequate to compensate for the motion ot' the water.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim isl. The herein-described method of laying pipe under water, which consists in joining a series of pipe-lengths to produce a section, buoying the same, floating the section over its intended place of use, unsealing the section, and removing a sufficient proportion of the iloats to cause the section to sink slowly, lowering the section to place, and there joining its end to that of a' previously-placed pipelength, substantially as set forth.

2. The method of preparing, laying, and joining pipes under water, which consists in tapering one end of each length or section of pipe and applying a gasket or packing to the bell of the other, applying Heats to the pipe, iloating the same over its intended bed, lowering the pipe into alignment with a previously-placed length, and drawing the bell end of one length upon the spigot end of the other.

3. In combination with two pipe'lengths, one provided with a tapered spigot end and the other having a bell-mouth provided with a compressible lining, collars encircling the respective pipe-lengths, and draw rods or bolts extending from one collar to the other and serving to draw said bell and spigot ends t0- gether.

4. The herein-described joint for submarine pipe, consisting of a pipe-length having a bell end, I), provided with internal ring or gasket c, a second length having tapered spigot end a inserted with said gasket, collars F, bearing against the bells of the respective lengths, and draw rods or bolts G, extending from one collar to the other and serving to draw and hold the lengths together.

5. The herein-described float for use in laying submarine pipe, consisting of a series of easks provided with rings or eyes, bands permanently attached at one end to one-halt` ot' the easks, and lashings connecting the bands of each of said casks with the eyes of a eask of the remaining half.

6. The combination ofcasks E, bands e, permanently attached to one of said easks, and lashings g, connecting said bands with the other casks, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

7. The herein-described apparatus for handling submarine pipe, consisting of a scow o1' float of any kind, derricks or frames mounted thereon, yieldingrods .Lcarried by said frames or derricks, pulley-blocks carried by and independent of said rods, and ropes passing over the sheaves of the pulley-blocks, the yielding rods being arranged substantially asdescribed and shown, whereby the scow or float is permitted to rise and fall without clamping or otherwise affecting the ropes.

In witness whereof wehereu nto set our hands in the presence of two witnesses.

HORACE C. THACHER. GEORGE H. BREYMANN.

Vitnesses:

Lewis D. MILLER, WALTER A. Dnrvnn.

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